6 TRAPPED

So now he's punishing me because I didn't return his laptop on time? Or is it because of what happened yesterday morning at the mall?

If I'd known he was going to dump all this work on me, I wouldn't have come in so fast. I can't work now. I haven't even had breakfast. Let me take care of myself first—everything else can come later!

"Sit down!" Mrs. Henderson pushes me back into my seat as I try to stand up. She slams a stack of papers onto my desk.

"This is the next client. Their wedding is taking place in three days, so these are your clients. You make sure everything is set for the third day. There are guidelines in those papers, their contact information, and everything you'll need. Every step you make, bring it to me to verify so you don't mess up anything." She walks away a few steps, then turns back abruptly.

"And by the way, this isn't some kind of punishment. It's just that December is wedding season. We have so many clients, and most of the time, we'll find ourselves working on the same plan in person. So, do your best."

As she starts walking away again, I unfreeze and speak.

"Mrs. Henderson, with all due respect, I'm not stupid. I know you're mad at me for messing up this morning, but it wasn't intentional. I didn't do it on purpose! I'm not working on this alone. I'd rather quit this job. First of all, yesterday you threw work at me the second I arrived here. I didn't complain because I understood the urgency, but what irritated me was that you didn't give me even the slightest idea of what I was supposed to do! So, either you give me someone to work with, or I'm quitting."

"Oh… damn. So it actually worked. I mean, the whole point of this was to get you to quit, because I can't have someone like you in my department!"

"Well, I just changed my mind. I'm not quitting if that's what you were trying to make me do," I say, annoyed, as I walk away. What the hell is her problem with me? It's like she didn't like me from the moment she saw me.

But who cares?

°

I knock on his door for the second time today.

"Yes?" His deep, manly voice vibrates through the room.

"Is this how you people treat your employees around here? Like we're some kind of robots?" My anger bursts out of me.

"I'm waiting for the work I gave you while you're here wasting time whining."

"You need to talk to Mrs. Henderson. I can't work on a single plan by myself. And to make it worse… I'm new here, I don't have much of experience!"

I'm a newbie—that's what they keep calling me. I don't know much. I didn't have any experience before coming here, and working on a plan alone? It doesn't make sense. It's like I'm working for everyone in this department, and I'm not doing that. I won't be bullied.

"That's not my problem. I don't know how they manage things," he says, his head buried in his computer screen.

"I'm telling you she asked me to—"

"I have a lot of work, Mr. Wilson, and listening to you isn't one of them. So before I get someone to throw you out, get yourself out."

"Oh, please, don't 'Mr.' me. You know what? Screw all this. I'm resigning!"

He smirks, clearly amused. "I knew it."

"You knew what?" I ask, confused by his tone.

"That you didn't read the papers you signed yesterday. I figured you wouldn't read them anyway."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, now more confused. Sure, I remember signing some papers yesterday, but I might've made a huge mistake by not reading them.

"It was an agreement. You'll work in this company for the rest of your life. Since I have your documents, all signed with your signature, you can't be employed by another company unless I allow it. You can't take me to court because you signed it yourself. And you can't blame me either. Anyway, I didn't want you to run when I make your life a living hell."

What the hell?! "You're joking, right?"

"You think I have time to joke around with you? Now, go back to work. And know that if you keep being stubborn and don't do what's expected of you, your salary will be cut."

"You're so childish, you know that?" I snap, trying to hold back tears. But I won't cry in front of him.

"You should've known who you were messing with at the mall before you acted. And thanks to the heavens, they must've wanted me to punish you. That's why we crossed paths again!"

"Seriously? That small incident is what this is about?"

"Go back to work, Wilson. I'm waiting for the documents I gave you, and I expect them done within the time frame I set. Stop wasting your time. And by the way, know that if you decide to resign, I'll replace you immediately. But I won't take you back if you come crawling later, because you won't find work elsewhere. So, think before you act."

I walk out, unsure of what to feel. I've never been this lost for words in my life. Instead of heading back to work, I go straight to the café.

There's a mountain of work waiting for me with limited time, but I don't care. If he fires me, I'll just go back to my old life. My parents won't ignore me forever—they'll eventually help me again. At least they'll know I tried.

In the cafeteria, I order way more food than I should. I eat until my stomach can't take anymore, then head back to my desk.